Canada Day Recommendations for Gulf Islands?

M

MikeR

New member
As mentioned in the Powell River thread, I'm unable to join for the CBGT but will instead be crossing the border on July 1 for a trip North to Desolation Sound. Does anyone know of a safe bet for available anchorage AWAY from the crowds and fireworks on Saturday July 1? I'm planning on transiting from Bedwell Harbour up to Gabriola / Silva Bay area on the first day.

Next leg of the trip will cross over to the Secret Cove / Pender Harbour area, so if there are better overnighting options on that side on a holiday weekend, I could aim for that on Day 1 instead. Or is everywhere in the area going to be crazy on Saturday, and maybe I should wait until Sunday to head North instead?

Normally I prefer to avoid boating on summer holiday weekends, but I'm locked in on taking my trip July 1 - 13 this year. This will be my first trip to the area since 1985, and I remember things being pretty busy even back then. Maybe a better trip would be to head the other direction and go to Olympia instead...I've heard South Sound is great in the summer because everyone goes North!

-Mike
 
Hi Mike. We spend Canada Day at Otter Bay Marina on Pender Island. Generally pretty quiet with moorage and there is anchoring in the bay. Little bit of ferry wash so not 100 percent about the anchoring but some do. Nice small Marina.
Terry
 
July 4th weekend any where in the sound is going to have fire work, both public and private, on most beaches. Personally I love it. I always plan a trip this weekend to get as much fire works as possible. Ganges, on the first, Deer harbor has fireworks onthe 3rd and then fishermans bay for the 4th. Just love it.

I live down the street from the largest fire works stand / market in the country. The Tulalip tribes boom city is 1/2 mile from my place and they do demos every night for a week leading up to the 4th. we eat dinner then then go out side and listen or watch. Everyone has a number 1 reason to become a US Marine but the #2 reason for everyone is to blow shit up.......

But to answer your question I would try tumbo Island or winter cove? There is also the chatham Islands if the wind is not blowing.
 
Thanks for the suggestions Terry, and Tom! Will keep those in mind as I'm heading North. Was hoping to get quite a ways further on the first day, but depending on weather, they might be viable options.

Tom to clarify, I do love the fireworks displays as well, it's the all the crazy yahoos that come out of the woodwork on holidays to party, drink, and then race home in the dark, that I prefer to avoid. Maybe that's less of an issue up in Canada (or saltwater venues in general?) than it is on Lake Union. But mainly just concerned about not finding a spot to tie up or anchor, due to the crowds. If you've not had trouble finding space at Ganges on the first, probably I'm just over thinking it. Do you tie up to the dock, or are you anchored out?

Thanks again!

-Mike
 
We anchor out at most if not all of these firework shows. best thing is most people are not going anywhere but to bed on the boat after the show. Unlike lake union where you have to leave. You may be able to get a slip in ganges but all the Sj ports will be booked up a year or two out. I prefer to anchor out as you get a better show. Of these events Deer harbor is the least crazy. Live band on the dock all day, food, good bay to kayak.

I look at all this as " you are happier at the rodeo if you go to a rodoe" By that I mean if you think in your mind that its not going to be crowded with a holes you will be disappointed. If on the other had you think " hey there will be crowds, music I dont like and noise but I want to see the fireworks" then you will have a better time. Its like showing up for a rodeo and finding out its opera. I like opera ( not really) but I was expecting a rodeo.

Remember that if you are on the boat there are no bad choices.
 
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